Tab and bus bar application method

Abstract

A method for applying bus bar tab system to the peripheral edge region of a substrate such as an ophthalmic lens is disclosed. The method involves: 1) applying a curable conductive epoxy to said substrate so as to embed a tab into said curable conductive epoxy; and 2) curing said curable conductive epoxy. Related devices are also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for applying a conductive epoxy bus bar/tab system to a substrate, said system comprising a cured conductive epoxy layer and a tab having a connecting portion embedded in said cured conductive epoxy layer, which method comprises: a) embedding the connecting portion of said tab in a curable conductive epoxy layer applied to a bus bar target area on said substrate; and b) curing said curable conductive epoxy. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein embedding occurs by inserting the connecting portion of said tab into a curable conductive epoxy layer applied to said substrate, and curing said curable conductive epoxy layer. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein embedding occurs by placing the connecting portion of said tab on a first cured or curable conductive epoxy layer applied to said substrate, applying a second curable conductive epoxy layer over said connecting portion, and curing all curable conductive epoxy layers. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein embedding occurs by placing or affixing the connecting portion of said tab on the bus bar target area of said substrate, applying a curable conductive epoxy layer over said connecting portion, and curing said curable conductive epoxy layer. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate has a peripheral edge region between first and second expanse surfaces, and said bus bar target area is on said peripheral edge region. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5, wherein said substrate is a shaped substrate. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6, wherein said substrate is an ophthalmic lens. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1, wherein said bus bar contacts an electroconductive film on said substrate. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 5, wherein said bus bar contacts an electroconductive film on said substrate. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 6, wherein said bus bar contacts an electroconductive film on said substrate. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 1, wherein said connecting portion is a connecting end. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 5, wherein said connecting portion is a connecting end. 
     
     
       13. A substrate containing a conductive epoxy bus bar having a tab embedded therein. 
     
     
       14. The substrate of claim 13, wherein said bus bar contacts an electroconductive film on said substrate. 
     
     
       15. The substrate of claim 14, wherein said bus bar is positioned on the peripheral edge region of said substrate and said electroconductive film is positioned on an adjacent expanse surface. 
     
     
       16. A substrate having a conductive epoxy bus bar/tab system applied by the method of claim 1. 
     
     
       17. The substrate of claim 13, wherein said substrate is an ophthalmic lens. 
     
     
       18. The substrate of claim 14, wherein said substrate is an ophthalmic lens. 
     
     
       19. The substrate of claim is, wherein said substrate is an ophthalmic lens. 
     
     
       20. The substrate of claim 16, wherein said substrate is an ophthalmic lens.